WCP95

[1]

Broadstone, Dorset.

July 5th. 1904

My dear Will¹

I find that, from here, it is cheaper to take single tickets, than tourist tickets, but I suppose your special returns for a fortnight are less. However I will gladly pay the difference as I feel sure you will like the country & it will do you good. It will be better therefore for you to take a single ticket to Heriwain if you can, if not to Merthyr-Tydfil — or even Abergavenny. Then I will pay your home ticket viâ Cardiff here. [2] The journey from here will not be fatiguing — We leave at 8.30 Salisbury at 9.50 & leave at 10.10 — no rush — Then I think a through carriage to Cardiff — due at 12.52. Then the motor will take us up to the house, about 30 miles. Or we may go by train to Heriwain if there is one convenient, & the motor or a trap take us the 6 miles to Castell Mellte, Ystradfellte.

We will take ample wraps & my respirator for dust &c.

I think we will go about the Wednesday or Thursday before, so as to be settled by the [3] time you arrive. At Heriwain you will be able to get a trap to bring up you & your bag, if our friend with the motor is not available.

I think the change may do me good also, and as I am just now writing about the Vale of Neath. I shall be able to go on ^writing there, & refresh my memory, & it will be occupation if the weather is wet. We can return the following Saturday or Monday & have a week with you here.

Your affectionate Pa | Alfred R. Wallace [signature]

(over) [4] P.S. I am not sure that you can get to Heriwain at all from Abergavenny, without going round by Pontypool — or even by Cardiff. But perhaps there is a connection by the L. & N.W. Railway. The Railways seem very complicated about Merthyr Tydfil. By Monmouth, Usk, & Pontypool seems like a likely route.

A.R.W.